The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-05-22
PRACTICAL JOKING.
Baker County Journalist F1ees from
the Wrath to Come.

Ilo "TdIn 10 ZONE.
From the Jacksonville (FTr) Times Union.
A rumor was circulated very freely on the
streets here yesterday that political out
rage had been perpetrated few days ago
at McClenny, resulting in the editor of the
Baker County Sentinel being driven out of
town by a number of prominent citizens of
that village
A reporter took the first train for the
scene Of the alleged outrage, arriving there
about o'clock, and Immediately proceeded
to investigate the matter He first saw Mr..
H. IL. Mcdonald, agent of the Florida Rail-
way and Navigation at McClenny, from
whom he learned the following facts:
Last Friday night abont II O'Clock he
was awakened by some one loudly ropping
at the door of his room, which is located on
the first floor of the hotel. On going to the
door he was confronted by Mr.. f. V. New
bern, the late editor of the Baker County
Sentinel, who severed his connection with
that paper Thursday The latter was in
undress uniform, having no clothing on but
his pants and shirt. On being admitted to
the room he said that crowd of men were
after him and he was afraid that they in
tended to mob him. He slept in the build
ing III which the paper is printed, and said
that the men came to the office and de-
manded admittance, which was refused. He
was then informed that unless he came out
they would force the door Open This
frightened him, and he jumped out of bed,
and, hastily putting on his pants, jumped
out of the back window and made for the
hotel, where, as above stated, he presented
himself at the door of Mr.. Mcdonald.
He had scarcely got safely inside the room
when several knocks were heard again at
the door, and several voices demanded adj
mittance. Mr. Mcdonald told them they
could not come in, whereupon they threat
ened to force an entrance. BY this time
Newbern was thoroughly frightened and
without waiting longer jumped out Of the
window and fled to a swamp about half
mile distant, where he remained all night.
Early Saturday morning he made
his way TO Glen st. Mary, two miles dis
tant, where he found protection at the
house of friend. A man was Immediately
dispatched to McClenny to get his clothing.
When he arrived at Glen st Mary be pre-
sented pitiable spectacle. His clothing
was torn into shreds and his limbs were cut
and scratched in fearful manner from CON
tact with the briers in the swamp during
his flight
DR.. Foster, of McCenny, and Mr. Pearce,
the Marshal, had gone several miles into the
country on Friday, and returning SATURDAY.
morning'by way of Glen St Mary saw New
bern ON the depot platform. The latter re
lated his experience of the night previous,
and on being asked the cause of It said it
must be because he favored Bioxham for
Senator in his paper; that he could assign
no other reason.
A reporter saw DR. Foster, who said that
so far as he could learn the whole proceed
ing was intended as q joke He said that he
took no stock in the cause assigned by New
bern, as he as well as nine-tenths Of the citi-
zens OF McClemy and of Baker county fav-
ored Bloxham, and that Newbeins paper
had been for Bloxham from the opening of
the campaign.
On inquiry it was learned that those who
took part in the affair were c. b. McClenny,
j. G. Bars, J. w. McClenny, L. s. Shuey
and two or three Others, whose names could
The reporter called on Mr.. Bars at his
store and fotnd him Engaged in writing a
letter to his brother h this city, DIR. Bars,
IN relation ~ tho nfIeir. He expressed him
self as perf4ctiy willing to talk about the
matter aud told TIE following story:
"NewbY-1 nilfzouhted in his paper last